Former Seahawks Wide Receivers Enter NFL Coaching Ranks

Two former Seahawks players are now entering new careers in the NFL coaching ranks. Former wide receiver Bobby Engram has joined the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive assistant, and former wide receiver Ricky Proehl joins the Carolina Panthers as an offensive consultant.

Engram, 38, a 14-year NFL veteran, played wide receiver for Chicago (1996-2000), the Seahawks (2001-2008), Kansas City (2009), and Cleveland (2010). During his eight seasons with the Seahawks, Engram learned the nuances of the West Coast offense from head coach Mike Holmgren, offensive coordinator Gil Haskell and wide receivers coach Nolan Cromwell. He was very productive in Holmgren’s system, hauling in 399 receptions for 4,859 yards and 18 touchdowns during that span.

A veteran of nine NFL postseason contests, Engram appeared in one Super Bowl (XL in 2006). He played in 176 career regular season games (113 starts), registering 650 receptions for 7,751 yards and 35 touchdowns. Engram enjoyed his most productive pro season in 2007 when he recorded 94 receptions for 1,147 yards and six touchdowns. He was the Seahawks’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2005.
Ricky Proehl

Proehl, 42, will spend most of his time assisting receivers coach Fred Graves. During his days as a player, Proehl was known for teaching young receivers, which will come in handy with the Panthers bringing back three drafted rookies for the 2011 season.

Proehl spent three of his 17 NFL seasons with the Panthers (2003-05), finishing his career with a 2006 stint with the Indianapolis Colts. He was a 1990 third-round pick of the Phoenix Cardinals (1990-94). After starring at Wake Forest, he also played with the Seahawks (1995-96), Chicago (1997), and St. Louis (1997-2002). During his NFL career, he caught 669 passes for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns.

Of his eight regular-season touchdown receptions with the Panthers, perhaps none was bigger than his first, which capped the come-from-behind win against Jacksonville in the 2003 opener. He also scored the touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVIII for Carolina.